Family Boat for Fishing

[JackstrawIII]

Hey gang,

 

Finally got the wife on board with the idea of getting a boat… on the condition that we get one that the whole family can use for recreation. So, I’m trying to weight out the different options for a boat that will be comfortable for 5 people to hang out on, swim from, cruise around the bay in, etc., but that I also use for bass fishing around docks, river, etc. 

 

Since I won’t be getting a bass boat or a jonboat, I’m looking at options. Looks like something like an open bow or a pontoon might be the best option?

 

What do you guys think? Who fishes from a pontoon boat primarily, and what are the pros and cons? Would you rather have some sort of aluminum open bow for these two purposes? 
 

I’ve never owned a boat, so feedback from all of you would be very helpful. Thanks!! 

[gim]

Pontoons are good for families.  You can do "some" fishing off of them like trolling and bobber fishing.  They are not going to work great for bass fishing in general though.

 

The one thing that sucks about them: trailering and hauling them on the road.  If you have a dock where you can park it and leave it all season, perfect.  They are very popular with cabin and lakeshore property owners for that very reason.

 

I believe the Ranger Reatta series is probably the top of the line fish n ski boat out there from a fiberglass stand point.  Always check the US Coast Guard passenger/weight rating ahead of time too, as 5 people is a lot for one boat.

[TOXIC]

45 minutes ago, gimruis said:

Pontoons are good for families.  You can do "some" fishing off of them like trolling and bobber fishing.  They are not going to work great for bass fishing in general though.

 

The one thing that sucks about them: trailering and hauling them on the road.  If you have a dock where you can park it and leave it all season, perfect.  They are very popular with cabin and lakeshore property owners for that very reason.

 

I believe the Ranger Reatta series is probably the top of the line fish n ski boat out there from a fiberglass stand point.  Always check the US Coast Guard passenger/weight rating ahead of time too, as 5 people is a lot for one boat.

This^^. Personally I would look at a multi-species boat like the Ranger as mentioned or in the Fisherman series.  The key is having the independent seats. Bench or buckets don’t work well for over 4 people.  You’ll soon come to find out that a fish n ski doesn’t do either very well so it’s better in the long run to choose the function it will be used for.  Generally, the “Walleye” style boats will put you into what I am talking about. Seating for multiple people, rigged with a big enough motor to  tube or ski (with a pylon) and works well for fishing.    

[Vilas15]

What's your budget? Looking at new or used? Towing long distance?

 

@gimruis is spot on. Pontoons are great if you can keep it at the lake or marina and want to throw down the anchor to bobber fish. As a new reata owner they are a great option. I've got a 1850 which is more deep V walleye boat with ski potential. See if you can find a reata 190 which is more bass boat style but can seat 5 comfortably. Thats assuming its in your budget and youve got the ability to tow a fiberglass boat (truck or full size SUV).

 

If you need to go aluminum there are still fish and ski options, much easier to tow, better on the river if you're beaching it on rocks.

 

 

[roadwarrior]

I have a pontoon. 

Pros:

Comfortably seats 8 adults for general boating or 4 for fishing.

Smooth, safe ride even in rough water.

Economical, burns about 1 gallon of gas per hour.

 

Cons:

"Old man" boat.

Two man job to trailer.

Slow.

 

 

[airshot]

As a 60 year boat owner and having owned many different types, I would highly recomend going with an aluminum hull.  Much lighter in weight, needs less HP to go fast, easier to tow ( and launch) , better resale value down the road.  No worry about rotten stringers and working with messy fiberglass.  This next comment will stir up some opinions but hear goes...my neighbor is an unsurance adjuster for a big popular ins company.  Generally speaking, aluminum boats are much less costly to insure, far fewer claims of total loss or casuality loss from death.  Thevreason is...fiberglass shatters on impact and burns fast in case of fire !!  Upon higher speed impact the glass shatteres and sinks!  Aluminum hulls tend to cave in but stay intact and do not sink as often. And they dont burn easily.  Many might argue these points but these statistics are thru out the marine insurance industry !!

Back to your boat choice...pontoon boatscare lots of fun for pleasure rides, taking more people along, bringing along the grill..etc. Depends on your primary uses..as mentioned they are more difficult to tow and launch/retrive..  V hull boats come in many layouts from all open, to open bow, to side console, most any configuration you would like.  I will say that if you are talking 5 adults, I would recomend going around 22' ft in length.  Another neighbor has a Sylvan 22' open bow with a 3.0 I/O, very easy on fuel, runs all day on 10 gallons of gas, easy to seat 6 adults, and will run close to 40 mph with 4 adults.  Very ideal boat for cruising and fishing and taking guests. Only you can decide what fits your own needs and wants....hope this helps with your search !!

[JackstrawIII]

4 hours ago, gimruis said:

The one thing that sucks about them: trailering and hauling them on the road.

 

We definitely would have to trailer and haul it. We don't live on the water. 

 

3 hours ago, TOXIC said:

Generally, the “Walleye” style boats will put you into what I am talking about.

Yeah, that's what I was picturing when I said "open bow". That's what we call them around here (upstate NY). 

 

3 hours ago, Vilas15 said:

What's your budget? Looking at new or used? Towing long distance?

Budget is not huge. We'll be looking used for sure, under $10k. Usually there are lots of options in that price range around here, as boating is very popular here in the Finger Lakes area. As far as towing, most would be fairly short, but I could definitely see us bringing it up to a couple hours towards the Adirondacks or down to the southern finger lakes area. 

 

2 hours ago, roadwarrior said:

Cons:

"Old man" boat.

Two man job to trailer.

Two-man trailering could be a deal killer, as I would be using this by myself occasionally. 

 

2 hours ago, airshot said:

I will say that if you are talking 5 adults, I would recomend going around 22' ft in length.  Another neighbor has a Sylvan 22' open bow with a 3.0 I/O

I should have been specific. My kids are 8, 6, and 4 years old... so we're talking 2 adults and 3 little ones. 

 

As far as fiber/aluminum, I'm leaning heavily towards aluminum due to several conversations I've had with boat-owning friends. And I'm leaning towards an outboard, vs I/O as well. 

As far as size, I'd like to be able to store the boat in my garage. After doing some measurements on my garage and my friends' boats, I think I could fit up to a 17 footer (with trailer). 16 would probably be safer. This is one of the reasons I was thinking a pontoon, which tend to be shorter/wider... but as I think a V-hull would be more practical for my normal usage. 

 

Any other thoughts or tips? 

[gim]

1 hour ago, JackstrawIII said:

As far as size, I'd like to be able to store the boat in my garage. After doing some measurements on my garage and my friends' boats, I think I could fit up to a 17 footer (with trailer). 16 would probably be safer.

What I would do first is go measure your garage to make sure.  Most boats will list "length on trailer" as a specification.  That is the number you will want to look at in order to fit in the garage.

 

A 16 or 17 foot aluminum boat is not going to handle 5 people.  You are going to be over capacity on that.  A 16 or 17 foot aluminum boat is ideal for 2 people.  3 is a squeeze.  Definitely not 5.

 

I think the pontoon idea is out.  Hauling it around is a bit**.

[slonezp]

I hate to burst your bubble but for $10k....Especially in today's market. Sock away the money and fish from the bank for now

 

[Cbump]

RIP real fishing dreams. Good luck. 

[airshot]

Let me tell you what I found...my wifes health has turned bad with back issues, so she has not been on a boat in 4 years, so I decided to downsize as I go mostly by myself.  I was looking for a 16' so I could do everything on my own.  I searched for over four months expanding my search area every week.  Also be prepared to have cash on hand, finnancing will require going to a dealer as most private sellors wont go thru that hassle.  After looking at well over a dozen boats that all had issues, I finally found a boat that was posted an hour earlier !!  It was 200 miles away..ask the owner numerous questions and ask him to verify his answers with detailed pics.  He did, many detailed pics were sent and all questions answered.  I assured him of my interest and drove yp the next day to meet him when he got home from work.  The boat was imaculate, always stored inside, and looked about showroom new with the exception of somevworn carpet areas.  He had all the original paperwork including recent maintenence work. He was asking 4500, which I realized was a bargain, he saved the boat from others interested until I got there...I did not bother trying to talk him down as I knew what he had and his kindness for working with me.  I have a 1992 Sylvan Sea Troller 16' with a 1992 Merc 40 hp classic outboard.  The boat is rated for 5 persons ( avg 150 lbs ea.) for two adults and three kids it would be fine, but for 5 adults, overcrowded !!  It is a side console which I really like due to the extra floor space. There are many pros and con to this type, but the point is a 16' as long as it is a wide and deep V you could get by.. What about your kids getting bigger ??  You will soon outgrow it, but it is perfect for the lone fisherman.  Going to an 18 ft woukd be better but being larger and heavier will be more difficult to launch and load. Wind and currents are what make boats difficult to handle, so the bigger the boat the more wind and current will affect it !!  There are nice used boats out there, but you need to search far and wide, when you do stumble across something interesting, you need to move NOW....cash in hand and on the road or it will be gone !!!  Good boats go fast, really nice boats go instantly !!  Those that are up for sale for a while have something wrong with them or way over priced.  When I sold my 22' Islander it went to the first guy that came out...a 1983 model that was in great condition.  He knew it was a fair price and didnt bother bartering just paid cash and took it home. Good boats sell quick, no one else ever had a chance to look at it....same as the boat I replaced it with !!!  Get out and physically start looking, even look at some that may not fit you....after you look at enough bosts and learn what questions to ask, you will then know it, when you find the right one!!!  Good luck....

[volzfan59]

I would suggest a fish and ski boat. All bass boat companies used to make one, not sure who still does. Ranger makes a really nice one, pretty sure Nitro still does. With a $10K budget, it would an older boat of any type.

[Catt]

Aluminum center console

Higher sides for kids safety, makes the wife happier. 

If you can find one with no casting decks that would be preferred.

 

I fish 3 adults out of a Alweld 1652 but that's 3 that know what they're doing. With 3 kids you ain't gonna be doing much fishing. 

[Jigfishn10]

I'm going with Bowrider. Plenty of places to sit and fish. 

I have a friend at the beach who has a 16'er and fishes off it all the time as well as takes guests on trips from harbor to harbor. Even though its considered a lake boat, he does use in the ocean.

[GPtimes2]

I haven't seen a boat that is a better do it all boat than one of the aluminum deck boats (the fiberglass ones are set up different). See my avatar pic at the left. I bought a Lowe deck boat in 2003 and will keep it till I can't boat anymore (I am 64 so maybe another 20 years). It lounges, skies, tubes, fishes, or trolls. It has a tall Bimini top to protect from the elements when needed. It seats up to nine but also I can handle it by myself. I can bass fish in as little as 18" of water. It has 4 fishing chairs, two live wells, and LOTS of storage. I put an electric start 9.9 hp kicker on it that is controlled and driven from the consul (connects to my 140hp for steering). Mine can handle a 175hp but the new ones are rated for 200hp. Put one of these in your search, you won't be disappointed.

Look at some these on youtub.

[12poundbass]

Look into a deck boat as well. Like others have said though, 16-17’ would be a bit cramped and $10k budget is going to narrow your search for what you’re needing. A deck boat gives you a big platform like a pontoon but loads and unloads like a regular boat. 

[Deleted account]

11 hours ago, Cbump said:

RIP real fishing dreams. 

 

He's married...

[GPtimes2]

Something else I should have mentioned was it is a 22' deep V that cuts through chop and wakes with ease. The conditions you normally go out in, your passengers aren't going to get bounced out of their seats. 

[gim]

22 minutes ago, Deleted account said:

 

He's married...

And has kids…

[Vilas15]

That will be tough with that length and budget. Probably looking at something like an old Lund Tyee 1750. But definitely aluminum. Measure the garage and be 100% sure it fits before you buy anything!

[slonezp]

2 hours ago, GPtimes2 said:

I haven't seen a boat that is a better do it all boat than one of the aluminum deck boats (the fiberglass ones are set up different). See my avatar pic at the left. I bought a Lowe deck boat in 2003 and will keep it till I can't boat anymore (I am 64 so maybe another 20 years). It lounges, skies, tubes, fishes, or trolls. It has a tall Bimini top to protect from the elements when needed. It seats up to nine but also I can handle it by myself. I can bass fish in as little as 18" of water. It has 4 fishing chairs, two live wells, and LOTS of storage. I put an electric start 9.9 hp kicker on it that is controlled and driven from the consul (connects to my 140hp for steering). Mine can handle a 175hp but the new ones are rated for 200hp. Put one of these in your search, you won't be disappointed.

Look at some these on youtub.

SeaArk makes a similar model. Kind of a fishing/deck boat called the Big Easy

 

[airshot]

To get a boat big enough yet fit in his garage, measure carefully and remember you can add a swing away tongue, but dont forget the added length from a motor hanging on the back !!

[JackstrawIII]

1 hour ago, Vilas15 said:

That will be tough with that length and budget. Probably looking at something like an old Lund Tyee 1750

 Yeah for sure. That’s the #1 boat on my list. Would love to find a nice old one. 
 

May have to settle for a similarly laid out  Starcraft or similar, which would be fine. 

6 hours ago, Catt said:

With 3 kids you ain't gonna be doing much fishing. 

Haha this is true. I don’t imaging trying to fish with the whole family at one time. Mostly will just hang out on it as a family, pulling tubes and such. 
 

The fishing will be for me and 1 or 2 other people at most ??

[airshot]

I haved owned Starcraft, Sylvan, Northwood, and lund among smaller smokercraft and others.  Most all have been well made with no issues.  My Starcrafts and Sylvans have been my favorite. Equal in quality and ride. My Starcrafts did have some minor rivet leaks where my Sylvan has never leaked a single drop. All of my boats have been purchased used, my current 1992 Sylvan is the newest model I have ever owned!!  Lund makes a nice boat, no question about it, but over priced, way over !!  You can find Starcrafts and Sylvans at much better prices.  Condition is everything, no matter what name is on it !!  Finding a boat with excellent maintainence is everything, dont be in a hurry, but be ready to react quickly when the right one comes along.

[Fishin Dad]

I would look for a used in good condition Alumacraft 17’ either a Competitor or something similar from them.   They are great boats that are affordable.   I traded one in last year for my Lund Pro V.   I would not hesitate to get another Alumacraft.   It worked great for my family.